Today we’d like to introduce you to D’Mitry Le’Meris.
D’Mitry, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always grew up around the beauty industry, my mother was a hairstylist as well as my aunts. I have one aunt who is a salon owner of multiple locations and educator. I always wanted to be a stylist watching these women. My favorite thing to do was to go to the shop or watch my family do hair and makeup, it always kept my interest. I started to do hair around middle school years which was back in 07-09. If I can date properly. I grew up in New York state in a city named Syracuse. I would help my mom do her hair and help her do others and just learn and ask multiple questions. I probably annoyed her but I just had to know. I later then started to watch tutorials on how to do things like extensions, colors, and haircuts. I learned most of my basics from my talented mother. I took all my knowledge that I had learned and started to practice on family and friends, I eventually became good enough to start taking my own clients.
My sophomore year of high school, I moved to Boston and attended Boston Arts Academy for music. I started to dabble in all of the arts dance, music, theater, fashion and learned tons of techniques. Growing up, my mother kept me in arts, so I was already experienced but high school gave me the proper techniques of what I need to know and do. I started to explore alot with me hair and make up which created quite a name for myself. I always had different looks to SERVE and SLAY. It could have been color, weave extensions, haircuts, natural hair, natural beat, glam beat or whatever I made sure that I gave nothing but LOOKS. I am aslo very androgynous that also helped me build up my clientele and following on social as well as my great skills with the beauty industry and Fashion.
After high school, I tried to attend college and realized that wasn’t for me and attended Empire Beauty School in downtown Boston and completed the course in 2015. I competed in hair design contest such as the “Fantasy Hair” which is my favorite to compete in. I Learned most of the skills that I have now from one of my favorite educators Ms. Ashley Freeman. I commend her for teaching so much and doing it so whole heatedly. I still speak with her to this day. After beauty school, I later then started to do celebrity hair such as Young B(Bianca bonnie), Big Freedia and many more. I also started to do hair for fashion designers for their new collections such as Josefa Da Silva, Tania Anderson and so many more. I received Two awards with the title of the “King of Fantasy Hair New England” and the awards were “Youngest Hottest Hairstylist of NE” and “Best Creative Hair Design of The Year”. I’ve worked doing print work for magazines and models styling hair to now headlining Rainbow Fashion Week NYC for 2 Years and I’ve participated for 4! I have my own product line called “The Doll Way Collection” which includes a variety of hairstyling products and tools.
Has it been a smooth road?
Of course, every journey has its ups and downs. I’ve had many bumps in the road. I always had trouble trying to figure out what and where it was comfortable for me to work. I always questioned if the salon was for me or should I work from home. I had to find my thing to do in the beauty field which can be challenging because there are so many things to do but I’m not superman I can’t do it all, even though I tend too. Hehehe! So many people told me that I wouldn’t make it or make a lot of money and that I needed to attend college to get a real job and career. I just laughed and told them, watch me work. I had to do what I wanted to do in life and what made me happy. I make enough money to live comfortably and that is all that matters And I AM HAPPY DOING IT. this does not feel like a job.
Some advice I would give so I wouldn’t say “young women” I would say, young people, because this field of work has no gender is to kick ass and believe in yourself. You don’t need any reassurance from anyone and come in this game strong because its a dog eat dog world. never stop learning and growing. Always make connections don’t be intimated and scared to take risks and next steps to succeed because nine times out of ten you are amazing at what you do but you are being hard on your self. Now, get out there and slay the WORLD!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Doll Way Collection – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am more of a weaveologist, fantasy, and editorial hairstylist! Those are things that I like to specialize in but I can do just about everything. I am very known for my hair shows, my over the top fashion picks, long nails hair and makeup and of course my work in the industry. I am very proud of what I have created at such a young age! I am only 21 and my brand is becoming something I’ve never thought I could reach. I’m also still growing and so is the brand. I always remember to stay humble and blessed. I’m also proud of my clients who grow with me as well and they never leave my side. They are also and they always rep my slogans and hashtags! #thedollway #mitrytouch #dmitrylemeris! I think what sets me apart from others are my talents that I put all into one craft to make a masterpiece! I feel like if God has given you many, you should use them an all no matter what the case is and I’m not afraid to do so.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Finding a mentor may be a little difficult I’ve realized in this industry it is very cut throat and people don’t want to teach you their techniques and their styles of learning. When there is a stylist like myself who would be excited to show someone and help them out. There is so much for everyone but others don’t think like that and they think it’s a competition. Networking is amazing to open your mouth to share your business cards, take trips and classes to meet people and excel. Being very independent has worked well for me after realizing that everyone is for their own self!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thedollwaycollection.com
- Phone: 857-246-4843
- Email: thedollwaycollection@gmail.com & dmitrybolden@gmail.com
- Instagram: @The_Official_Doll & @Thedollwaycollection
- Facebook: D’Mitry Le Meris
- Twitter: @DLOfficial_Doll
- Other: dmitrylemeris.genbook.com
Image Credit:
Your weave dealer, D’Mitry Le’Meris, Colin Williams, Jordan Gilchrist, Shakir Evans
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